Blind Cigar Review: Gran Habano | Gran Reserva #5 2010 Gran Robusto

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 54
Country of Origin: Honduras
Wrapper: Corojo 2005
Binder: Habano 2005
Filler: Jalapa Valley
Factory: GR Tabaqueras Unidas
Blender: George A. Rico
Number of reviewers: 5—–Ron (shuckins) Dave (mdwest) Jiunn (jliu) Gregg (McGreggor57) Robert (NavyPiper)
Price: $7.20
Age: 6 Months
Release Date: 2012
Contributed by: Gran Habano Cigars

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 91

“This is a great looking stogie. Wrapper is a medium brown with a reddish hue, as well as a light sheen to it. Head is flat, cap is centered. Seams are tight and well blended. This stogie feels very dense and heavy, with no give when pressed.” –Robert (NavyPiper)

Aroma: 88

“The foot provides a scent of strong pepper and dry grass or hay.” –Dave (mdwest)

First Third

Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Nuts, leather and white pepper fill the flavor profile in the first third. The smoke has a slight burnt or edginess about it, but isn’t what I would define as harsh or unpleasant.” –Dave (mdwest)

“A fairly stout pepper lasts for the first half inch before giving way to leather and a bit of green tea. A little clove lingers with the spice on the retrohale. There is some strength to the start of this cigar.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)

Second Third

Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Smooth smoking with a sweet tasting cedar leading a rich coffee and leather blend to the front. There is still a trace of pepper that has been joined by an allspice laced tobacco that provides a gentle junior sized kick.” –Ron (shuckins)

“Second third starts off where the first left off. About half way in, a nice mild flavor of baking spices along with an occasional flavor of raisins came in. These were kind of teasers as they were at times there, then fade out, but would come back in. Frustrating because you wanted more but it kept pulling away if you know what I mean.” –Robert (NavyPiper)

Final Third

Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Last thirds body shifts from a medium thin to a medium. Still the same core flavors of white pepper, cedar, leather, celery seed spice and an introduction of non-sweet cream. The strength is still at a medium.” –Jiunn (jliu)

“Leather is intensifying and moving the flavors to a more herbal profile. Grasses and faint florals seem to fit the waning notes of tea. There is an increasing pepper on the nose as the cigar comes to an end.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 96

“A near perfect draw with plenty of cool tasty smoke. The only blemish being a tight spot in the middle.” –Ron (shuckins)

Burn: 91

“A very straight burn line for the first half that was derailed a little by some of the veins. Excellent smoke production for the entire cigar.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)

Construction: 91

“Great construction. Great draw and close to perfect burn equates to no complaints from me!” –Jiunn (jliu)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Overall Experience: 88

“A very enjoyable cigar to smoke, with flavors right in my wheelhouse. I would definitely smoke more of them and easily recommend it to friends and strangers alike.” –Ron (shuckins)

“Overall, an enjoyable cigar with a nice profile. I’d be willing to give this one another try somewhere down the road.” –Dave (mdwest)

“Overall, this cigar was subpar. The only redeeming factor was the very unique notes of celery seed spice. The medium thin flavors and body created a fairly lackluster experience. It made me want more and more but just wasn’t getting anything. Unfortunately, this will not have a place in my humidor.” –Jiunn (jliu)

“Tea was the predominate and consistent flavor that came through on my palate. While some clove from the first third was replaced by raisin in the second and grasses in the third, this cigar lacked depth. The pepper on the retrohale was nice, but the basic profile was not all that enjoyable for me.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)

“Overall, it was pretty good. To me, the first third was too mild, but got better as it went. Very nice flavors and I’d smoke another anytime.” –Robert (NavyPiper)
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Smoking Time (in minutes): 89

Edit

Reviewer	Appearance	Aroma	1/3	2/3	3/3	Draw	Burn	Constr.	Overall
Ron	88	90	90	92	92	97	92	92	92
Dave	88	88	88	88	88	85	85	88	88
Jiunn	92	85	83	83	85	95	97	95	83
Gregg	90	90	88	88	88	97	92	90	88
Robert	95	88	88	90	90	95	85	90	88

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.
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Blind Cigar Review: Gran Habano | Gran Reserva #5 2010 Gran Robusto